Roll bar question

[ramono7]

Hey guys I have a 97 roadster, Iv wondered about putting roll bars on because 1. They look and 2. Feel safer. Iv looked around the site for some idea of what I can do and only found a little talk, but nothing real helpfull. Has anyone put a set on? And if so how much work/money are we talking? Can I pull the whole set up off a newer one and put it on mine? Thanks any advise will be appreciated.

[IgotBMW]

Contact DreamnZ. He has done it.

[Jonttt]

Prices are in sterling but should give you some idea of cost and how to do it ;-)

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewt...hp?f=18&t=3439

[KBH22102]

Good overview here.

http://mz3.net/retrofitting-bmw-roll-hoops.html

My experience

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1080188

There is also the Harddog

http://www.bethania-garage.com/z3.htm

[ramono7]

Good overview here.

http://mz3.net/retrofitting-bmw-roll-hoops.html

My experience

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1080188

There is also the Harddog

http://www.bethania-garage.com/z3.htm

Hey thanks alot of good info. Think this will be a good summer project. How long did it take you start to finish?

[KBH22102]

Hey thanks alot of good info. Think this will be a good summer project. How long did it take you start to finish?

90% of your time will be spent looking for/acquiring parts. The actual installation took about three hours. Get yourself a bunch of the little plastic screw covers (they're a few cents each) so you don't need to stress about removing them without tearing. Be really gentle with the plastic trim pieces as they are getting old and are brittle and are prone to crack

[Joemamaman]

I also retrofit mine too. As long as you have the mounting holes for the brackets, it's 100% bolt on. I'm sure you already know this by now.

I think an average street price for everything you need (brackets, bars, storage compartment, side panels, etc) is about $500. Give or take $50.

If you can find it for less, you did real good. If you can find a junkyard, that has it intact, you can literally swap it all on.

Good luck!
-Joe

[tohbi]

i like the look without the roll hoops. asking around, i'm told the windshield acts as a rollbar. any anecdotal comments?

[ramono7]

I figured the windshield would act like a roll bar, more doing it because of the look then safety, it gives it a more dangerous look (DangerZone lol). Plus I like to have projects to fill my spear time and this one seems like fun.

[tohbi]

i found the discussion where it was mentioned that there are pics of a rolled m model that didn't even break the windshield.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=573312

[328 Power 04]

Well, the windshield (actually A pillar[s]) is reinforced to be able to hold the cars weight. That is useless without some rear support as well. While the best anti-roll protection system is one that you don't use, it does help to keep your brain and head in the anatomical positions in case of a roll.

My Z3 had the factory hoops, which are excellent in my opinion, but I opted for a HardDog roll bar to be able to take it to the track without complaints from staff.


You can gauge the strength of the windshield and support just by hitting the side gently with your fist. It's as hard/rigid as a concrete wall. I was impressed. Miata windshields do not hold the car's weight in case of a roll.

[FDNYz3]

I have a 96 and had to weld the brackets but overall roll hoop install wasnt to bad!

[ramono7]

I have a 96 and had to weld the brackets but overall roll hoop install wasnt to bad!

Did you weld because you had to or wanted to?

[ZUUD BYE]

Did you weld because you had to or wanted to?

Had to I'm sure. My '96 has no brackets and no bolt lugs welded in the body. I went with the HardDog rollbar myself.

[eluther3z3]

Just purchased dual hoop roll bar for my 96. Involves drilling two holes. Will post pictures when I'm done. Here's the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330696190315...84.m1423.l2648

[legman44]

^^^Those are purely cosmetic though, the seller states that. I've been looking myself for a stock set, but cost is rough!

[KBH22102]

I like your steering wheel...


Agree with the previous poster though. Those hoops are more dangerous than none at all since they will collapse forward right into your head in the event of an actual rollover

[Z3racer701]

i like the look without the roll hoops. asking around, i'm told the windshield acts as a rollbar. any anecdotal comments?

Don't need anecdotal evidence when you have proof:



This is the understructure of the windshield frame, with the apron cover removed. At the top you can see the 30mm high carbon steel tube that forms the basis of the structure. The tube is sandwiched between four layers of sheet metal with the top and bottom being the apron and inner apron.

[tohbi]

what do you know about this wreck, jimmy? has the windshield been pulled out or is that all the further it collapsed?

seems to me the mickey mouse seatbelts they put in cars nowadays could preclude keeping a person in their seat enough to make him safe. these seatbelts seem designed only to protect in a front end collision.

[Amuro Ray]

Does it help stiffen the chassis?

[gbirkemeier]

Don't need anecdotal evidence when you have proof:



This is the understructure of the windshield frame, with the apron cover removed. At the top you can see the 30mm high carbon steel tube that forms the basis of the structure. The tube is sandwiched between four layers of sheet metal with the top and bottom being the apron and inner apron.

Is it just coincidental that this car looks a lot like your avatar with a yellow hard top?



Did you walk away, and do you think the hard top helped protect you? Also do I spot an aftermarket rollbar in there that kept the top from collapsing?

[Z3racer701]

what do you know about this wreck, jimmy? has the windshield been pulled out or is that all the further it collapsed?

At this point, I'd removed the apron cover and had not yet pulled the frame out. I kept the original for a template for the new cover to drill for rosett welds in the new.

Does it help stiffen the chassis?

Probably not by much unless you can tie that to a cage, rules permitting.

Is it just coincidental that this car looks a lot like your avatar with a yellow hard top?



Did you walk away, and do you think the hard top helped protect you? Also do I spot an aftermarket rollbar in there that kept the top from collapsing?

Sharp eyes, it's got a cage by the Roll Cage Guy, Mark McMahon. Avatar is how it sits today, the picture posted was mid repair, after the 2nd hand Imola hood was procured to replace the cracked carbon hood. This is how it looked when I towed it home:


And this is the current log book photo, with the same rear finder and door as above:



As for me, I found out what it was like to be a James Bond martini, "Shaken not stirred..." Walked away without a scratch. About a month after the wreck I took it to a local frame shop, and they told me to just get another. That made me want to put it back togeather even more.

[stonea]

I have the stock roll bars and the brackets and the nuts and bolts if you want.

[Amuro Ray]

How did the hardtop hold up?